MAKONDE - Since her birth nine years ago, Murendeni Tshivhase of Makonde Village, near Thohoyandou, has never walked, talked or played like other kids. She has spent all of her short life either in bed or on her mother’s back, because she is critically disabled and can do nothing for herself.

She got a new lease on life, however, when the Department of Health and Welfare presented her with a special wheelchair worth R4 000 last Thursday. The special wheelchair is fitted with a small table and it is manufactured with extra comfort and security belts, since Murendeni cannot sit on her own.

It is also extendable so that it can fit her when she grows older. The Occupational Therapy Department of Donald Fraser Hospital facilitated the acquisition of the special wheelchair.

Tears of joy ran down Josephine’s (Murendeni’s mother) face as she ran short of words to thank the department for coming to her daughter’s rescue. “I don’t know how to thank them. Life will be easier as I will no longer be forced to carry her on my back wherever I go. I will just proudly push her. She should already be at school with other kids of her age but she is forced to spend all of her life in bed. This clearly shows that there are people who care for the poor and I don’t know how to thank them,” said the 44-year-old unemployed Josephine.

The Chief Occupational Therapist of Donald Fraser Hospital, Mr John Masuluke, said his department had always tried its best so that Murendeni could enjoy life like any other kid.

“Although the girl has a chronic condition that can not be reversed, it is important that she enjoys our love and support. We have been monitoring her life for the past years in order to assist her mother to raise her accordingly. Even though it was not easy to aquire the wheelchair, we entered into negotiations with the Occupational Therapy Department of Polokwane Provincial Hospital until we got hold of it. It is the only one of its kind and we believe this will be the biggest Christmas for Murendeni. We made sure she received the wheelchair free of charge because we are aware of her mother’s poor financial background.”

Masuluke said Murendeni’s mother was trained on the basics of using the wheelchair and proper handling for a long life.

“We assure Josephine that we will give her our support in raising the kid and she should feel free to contact us whenever she encounters problems.”

Masuluke further argued community members to make use of his office to acquire knowledge and get assistance in raising their disabled loved ones.